When you think about your spine, you likely picture vertebrae stacked atop each other in a straight line, allowing you to stand up straight. But you may not realize that when you stand up “straight,” your spine should actually be curved in multiple places. A healthy adult spine runs from the base of the skull to the pelvis and should form an “S” shape when looked at in profile. The neck and lower back should both have a concave appearance, while the middle back and sacral region will be convex. When this curve isn’t properly formed, it can cause a huge range of issues and require intervention from a Bozeman chiropractor.

Spinal Curves and Posture

One of the key reasons that spinal curves are so important is that they contribute to proper posture and balance throughout the body. When the spine has the proper curvature, it can prevent the onset of multiple spine disorders, but it also improves daily balance and stability, promotes muscle strength, and increases range of motion. Those without a proper curve may have trouble maintaining good posture.

Poor posture can have a negative impact on spinal curvature, but there are other causes as well. However, the two can compound upon each other, making the issue worse over time.

The most commonly affected area of the spine is the neck, or the cervical spine. The flexibility of the neck means that it is the most vulnerable to misalignments, which can have a negative impact on curvature. This has been described by something known as “tech neck” – when we spend a lot of time looking down at a phone or computer, the curve of the neck is often eroded, leading to a range of issues.

How Chiropractic Care Helps Spinal Curves

When you visit Waypoint Chiropractic, one of the first things Dr. Cary Gentry will do is evaluate your spine from all angles, including the side. This will show your spine’s curvature and help you begin to understand how your health may be impacted by misalignments. More than just your posture, a spine without the proper curvature can impact your overall health, as the discs become impacted and dysfunction is introduced across your nervous system.

Chiropractic care focuses on improving the spine’s alignment and curvature, which has a huge impact, especially on pain in the back. One goal is to improve voluntary muscle strength, which helps the spine to remain aligned and balances the use of your musculoskeletal system. Studies show that regular chiropractic care, often paired with exercise, can lead to a reduction or elimination of back pain.

Even if you are not experiencing pain, there may be misalignments in your spine impacting your health and posture. During your first appointment with Dr. Cary Gentry, we will perform a full review of your spine’s alignment to create a care plan that focuses on your overall health. This can include your spine’s curvature and other critical elements of spinal health that will help you feel strong and healthy in your daily life. Get in touch with Bozeman chiropractor Dr. Cary Gentry today to schedule your appointment.

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Morningstar, M.W. “Strength gains through lumbar lordosis restoration.”Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 2003 Aug; 2(4): 137-141. http://www.journalchiromed.com/article/S0899-3467(07)60077-9/fulltext.

Schwab J.M. “Chiropractic management of a 47-year-old firefighter with lumbar disk extrusion.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 2008 Dec; 7(4): 146-154. http://www.journalchiromed.com/article/S1556-3707(08)00091-6/fulltext.

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